The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) – Negros Island Region (NIR) successfully hosted its 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) Regional Data Dissemination Forum on May 30.
Held at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and facilitated by PSA Negros Occidental, the event brought together officials and stakeholders to unveil crucial insights into the region’s educational landscape.
According to a press release, the 2024 FLEMMS results for Negros Island Region are in. They show that 87 percent of Filipinos aged 5 and over have basic literacy. This means about 9 out of 10 people in this age group can read and write. However, the survey also points to a need for more focus on practical skills, with 65.7 percent (about 7 out of 10) of those aged 10 to 64 being functionally literate. Functional literacy refers to applying reading, writing, math, and comprehension skills in everyday life and work.
Speakers, including Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, national statistician and civil registrar general, and Interim Regional Director John Campomanes of RSSO NIR, led the discussions. They were joined by Marlon Jinon from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development NIR, and Serafin Fariñas from the Department of Education NIR. Their presence underscored the data’s vital role in regional planning.
The forum centered on how to build on the high basic literacy rate to boost functional literacy across the region. This successful data dissemination marks a significant step for PSA RSSO NIR, providing essential information for evidence-based decisions to improve lives in the Negros Island Region.*
